They Wuz Robbed (by the Academy)

By Mick LaSalle, SFGate.com

on February 15, 2013 3:32 AM

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Jessica Chastain in Zero Dark Thirty -- is it too early to say Chastain was robbed this year, before the robbery takes place? How can she possibly lose to Jennifer Lawrence's engaging but unremarkable performance in SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK? Yet everybody says this is about to happen. less

Jessica Chastain in Zero Dark Thirty -- is it too early to say Chastain was robbed this year, before the robbery takes place? How can she possibly lose to Jennifer Lawrence's engaging but unremarkable ... more

Photo: Michael Buckner, Getty Images

Jessica Chastain in Zero Dark Thirty -- is it too early to say... Photo-4199565.56872 - seattlepi.com

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Harvey Keitel's amazing performance in the 1992 film, BAD LIEUTENANT, by Abel Ferrara, is precisely the kind of extreme performance the Academy ignores. But it's something that, once seen, is never forgotten.

Harvey Keitel's amazing performance in the 1992 film, BAD LIEUTENANT, by Abel Ferrara, is precisely the kind of extreme performance the Academy ignores. But it's something that, once seen, is never forgotten.

Ashley Judd should have been at least nominated for BUG. At least. Photo-4199574.56872 - seattlepi.com

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The Academy gave the 1964 best picture Oscar to MY FAIR LADY, a lovely movie, but it was a little like giving an Oscar to the past. If they wanted to give it to the present, they could have given it to DR. STRANGELOVE. less

The Academy gave the 1964 best picture Oscar to MY FAIR LADY, a lovely movie, but it was a little like giving an Oscar to the past. If they wanted to give it to the present, they could have given it to DR. ... more

The Academy gave the 1964 best picture Oscar to MY FAIR LADY, a... Photo-4199575.56872 - seattlepi.com

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Better yet, the Academy in 1964 could have given best picture to the future -- to the future of culture, of filmmaking, of entertainment, comedy and perception. They should have given it it to A HARD DAY'S NIGHT. less

Better yet, the Academy in 1964 could have given best picture to the future -- to the future of culture, of filmmaking, of entertainment, comedy and perception. They should have given it it to A HARD DAY'S ... more

Better yet, the Academy in 1964 could have given best picture to... Photo-4199576.56872 - seattlepi.com

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For her command of tone, Adrienne Shelly should have received a posthumous best director nomination for WAITRESS.

For her command of tone, Adrienne Shelly should have received a posthumous best director nomination for WAITRESS.

For her command of tone, Adrienne Shelly should have received a... Photo-4199577.56872 - seattlepi.com

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THE MOTHER AND THE WHORE -- one of the great films of the 1970s, it deserved a best foreign film nod.

THE MOTHER AND THE WHORE -- one of the great films of the 1970s, it deserved a best foreign film nod.

THE MOTHER AND THE WHORE -- one of the great films of the 1970s, it... Photo-4199578.56872 - seattlepi.com

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Michelle Williams in Blue Valentine. Should have won best actress.

Michelle Williams in Blue Valentine. Should have won best actress.

Photo: Davi Russo, The Weinstein Co.

Michelle Williams in Blue Valentine. Should have won best actress. Photo-4199579.56872 - seattlepi.com

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Marisa Tomei and Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler. He should have won.

Marisa Tomei and Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler. He should have won.

Photo: Niko Tavernise

Marisa Tomei and Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler. He should have won. Photo-4199580.56872 - seattlepi.com

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Annette Bening in BEING JULIA to Hilary Swank in MILLION DOLLAR BABY for one reason -- few people saw BEING JULIA.

Annette Bening in BEING JULIA to Hilary Swank in MILLION DOLLAR BABY for one reason -- few people saw BEING JULIA.

Photo: Alex Dukay

Annette Bening in BEING JULIA to Hilary Swank in MILLION DOLLAR... Photo-4199581.56872 - seattlepi.com

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A critic called this the greatest performance ever in a sound film. Otis Ferguson of the New Republic called Garbo in CAMILLE the most beautiful thing of a generation. She lost to something borderline ridiculous in 1937. less

A critic called this the greatest performance ever in a sound film. Otis Ferguson of the New Republic called Garbo in CAMILLE the most beautiful thing of a generation. She lost to something borderline ... more

Photo: MGM

A critic called this the greatest performance ever in a sound film.... Photo-4199582.56872 - seattlepi.com

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Alison Elliott -- a crime that's still felt today: The Academy ignored her sublime supporting performance in WINGS OF THE DOVE.

Alison Elliott -- a crime that's still felt today: The Academy ignored her sublime supporting performance in WINGS OF THE DOVE.

Edward G. Robinson -- never nominated for an Oscar. Not even for TWO SECONDS.

Edward G. Robinson -- never nominated for an Oscar. Not even for TWO SECONDS.

Edward G. Robinson -- never nominated for an Oscar. Not even for... Photo-4199606.56872 - seattlepi.com

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Carmen Ejogo -- robbed this year: She should have been nominated for her performance in SPARKLE. How could Anne Hathaway be nominated for five minutes of sobbing in Les Miserables, and Ejogo be ignored? The mind boggles. less

Carmen Ejogo -- robbed this year: She should have been nominated for her performance in SPARKLE. How could Anne Hathaway be nominated for five minutes of sobbing in Les Miserables, and Ejogo be ignored? The ... more

Carmen Ejogo -- robbed this year: She should have been nominated... Photo-4199607.56872 - seattlepi.com

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A Face in the Crowd: Two Oscars that didn't happened, Andy Griffith's for one of the great performances of the 1950s (not even nominated) and best picture (not even nominated).

A Face in the Crowd: Two Oscars that didn't happened, Andy Griffith's for one of the great performances of the 1950s (not even nominated) and best picture (not even nominated).

A Face in the Crowd: Two Oscars that didn't happened, Andy... Photo-4199608.56872 - seattlepi.com

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Christian McKay -- this time it wasn't the Academy's fault. McKay should have been nominated for best supporting actor in ME AND ORSON WELLES, but the studio, figuring Christoph Waltz was a lock for INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS, positioned the unknown McKay for best actor instead. The result? He was nominated for neither. less

Christian McKay -- this time it wasn't the Academy's fault. McKay should have been nominated for best supporting actor in ME AND ORSON WELLES, but the studio, figuring Christoph Waltz was a lock for INGLOURIOUS ... more

Photo: Daniel/AP

Christian McKay -- this time it wasn't the Academy's... Photo-4199609.56872 - seattlepi.com

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Bride of Frankenstein -- fascinating blend of horror and horror spoof, worthy of serious consideration. And what about Karloff in the best monster -- or best actor -- category.

Bride of Frankenstein -- fascinating blend of horror and horror spoof, worthy of serious consideration. And what about Karloff in the best monster -- or best actor -- category.

Greta Garbo in A Woman of Affairs (1929). One of the great silent performances, not even nominated.

Greta Garbo in A Woman of Affairs (1929). One of the great silent performances, not even nominated.

Photo: Handout

Greta Garbo in A Woman of Affairs (1929). One of the great silent... Photo-4199611.56872 - seattlepi.com

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Judy Garland in A STAR IS BORN. She should have won.

Judy Garland in A STAR IS BORN. She should have won.

Judy Garland in A STAR IS BORN. She should have won. Photo-4199612.56872 - seattlepi.com

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SIDEWAYS -- I'm not even saying it should have won. I'm saying maybe it should have won. It should have been close.

SIDEWAYS -- I'm not even saying it should have won. I'm saying maybe it should have won. It should have been close.

Photo: Merie W. Wallace, AP

SIDEWAYS -- I'm not even saying it should have won. I'm... Photo-4199613.56872 - seattlepi.com

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GLOOMY SUNDAY -- one of the great foreign films of the 1990s, a German production set in Budapest, it wasn't nominated for best foreign film, possibly because it wasn't released in the United States early enough for it to qualify. See it, if you haven't. It's wonderful. less

GLOOMY SUNDAY -- one of the great foreign films of the 1990s, a German production set in Budapest, it wasn't nominated for best foreign film, possibly because it wasn't released in the United States early ... more

GLOOMY SUNDAY -- one of the great foreign films of the 1990s, a... Photo-4199614.56872 - seattlepi.com

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Bogart in a performance that should have won him an Oscar. IN A LONELY PLACE.

Bogart in a performance that should have won him an Oscar. IN A LONELY PLACE.

Photo: Courtesy Sony Pictures Repertory/Film Forum.

Bogart in a performance that should have won him an Oscar. IN A... Photo-4199615.56872 - seattlepi.com

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Just because you laughed at BRIDESMAIDS doesn't mean it wasn't great. The comedy of the year, it deserved best picture consideration.

Just because you laughed at BRIDESMAIDS doesn't mean it wasn't great. The comedy of the year, it deserved best picture consideration.

Photo: Suzanne Hanover, Associated Press

Just because you laughed at BRIDESMAIDS doesn't mean it... Photo-4199616.56872 - seattlepi.com

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Alfred Hitchcock -- never won a competitive Oscar. Even when one of his (lesser) films, REBECCA, won best picture, he didn't win best director.

Alfred Hitchcock -- never won a competitive Oscar. Even when one of his (lesser) films, REBECCA, won best picture, he didn't win best director.

Alfred Hitchcock -- never won a competitive Oscar. Even when one of... Photo-4199617.56872 - seattlepi.com

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How did Richard Burton not win for WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? For the Bergen scene alone . . .

How did Richard Burton not win for WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? For the Bergen scene alone . . .

Photo: Warner Bros.

How did Richard Burton not win for WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA... Photo-4199618.56872 - seattlepi.com

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Two missed Oscars here. MEG RYAN for best actress, IN THE CUT for best picture. Neither were nominated.

Two missed Oscars here. MEG RYAN for best actress, IN THE CUT for best picture. Neither were nominated.

Two missed Oscars here. MEG RYAN for best actress, IN THE CUT for... Photo-4199619.56872 - seattlepi.com

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FIVE EASY PIECES -- one of the most lasting achievements of its era, a film that has maintained its truth over four decades. And Nicholson was great, too.

FIVE EASY PIECES -- one of the most lasting achievements of its era, a film that has maintained its truth over four decades. And Nicholson was great, too.

FIVE EASY PIECES -- one of the most lasting achievements of its... Photo-4199620.56872 - seattlepi.com

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JFK -- the best film of 1991, the big thing that happened in cinema that year, but it lost.

JFK -- the best film of 1991, the big thing that happened in cinema that year, but it lost.

JFK -- the best film of 1991, the big thing that happened in cinema... Photo-4199621.56872 - seattlepi.com

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CITIZEN KANE -- one of the cinema's greatest, but it didn't win best picture.

CITIZEN KANE -- one of the cinema's greatest, but it didn't win best picture.

CITIZEN KANE -- one of the cinema's greatest, but it... Photo-4199622.56872 - seattlepi.com

LIKE CRAZY -- a great and perceptive love story, worthy of a best picture nomination.

LIKE CRAZY -- a great and perceptive love story, worthy of a best picture nomination.

LIKE CRAZY -- a great and perceptive love story, worthy of a best... Photo-4199625.56872 - seattlepi.com

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LINCOLN -- it's probably too early to complain that LINCOLN was robbed by ARGO, but maybe it's not. Maybe ARGO, a perfectly nice, entertaining little movie, really is about to win over this masterpiece by Steven Spielberg. less

LINCOLN -- it's probably too early to complain that LINCOLN was robbed by ARGO, but maybe it's not. Maybe ARGO, a perfectly nice, entertaining little movie, really is about to win over this masterpiece by ... more

Laura Linney -- robbed just this year: She should have been nominated for supporting actress for her extreme, un-vain, inspired performance in THE DETAILS. And THE DETAILS deserved a best screenplay nomination. less

Laura Linney -- robbed just this year: She should have been nominated for supporting actress for her extreme, un-vain, inspired performance in THE DETAILS. And THE DETAILS deserved a best screenplay ... more

Laura Linney -- robbed just this year: She should have been... Photo-4199628.56872 - seattlepi.com

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Keri Russell -- a great performance in WAITRESS, but only a few people seem to know this.

Keri Russell -- a great performance in WAITRESS, but only a few people seem to know this.

Photo: Alan Markfield, HO

Keri Russell -- a great performance in WAITRESS, but only a few... Photo-4199629.56872 - seattlepi.com

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DIANE LANE -- should have won for UNFAITHFUL. For the on-the-train-remembering-sex scene alone.

DIANE LANE -- should have won for UNFAITHFUL. For the on-the-train-remembering-sex scene alone.

Photo: 20th Century Fox

DIANE LANE -- should have won for UNFAITHFUL. For the... Photo-4199630.56872 - seattlepi.com

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Marilyn Monroe in BUS STOP, one of her best performances, and Oscar worthy.

Marilyn Monroe in BUS STOP, one of her best performances, and Oscar worthy.

Photo: X, Associated Press

Marilyn Monroe in BUS STOP, one of her best performances, and Oscar... Photo-4199631.56872 - seattlepi.com

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Michelle Pfeiffer -- should have been nominated for Cheri. Probably should have won.

Michelle Pfeiffer -- should have been nominated for Cheri. Probably should have won.

Michelle Pfeiffer -- should have been nominated for Cheri. Probably... Photo-4199632.56872 - seattlepi.com

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Madeleine Stowe deserved a best actress nod for THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS.

Madeleine Stowe deserved a best actress nod for THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS.

Madeleine Stowe deserved a best actress nod for THE LAST OF THE... Photo-4199633.56872 - seattlepi.com

MY WEEK WITH MARILYN -- Michelle Williams should have won last year. Photo-4199637.56872 - seattlepi.com

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THE NEW WORLD -- this is what happens when you make the greatest film of the decade. Nobody realizes it at the time, and so no one nominates it for best picture.

THE NEW WORLD -- this is what happens when you make the greatest film of the decade. Nobody realizes it at the time, and so no one nominates it for best picture.

THE NEW WORLD -- this is what happens when you make the greatest... Photo-4199638.56872 - seattlepi.com

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ONE DAY -- one of the best films of last year, ignored by the Academy and misunderstood by many critics. It will endure.

ONE DAY -- one of the best films of last year, ignored by the Academy and misunderstood by many critics. It will endure.

ONE DAY -- one of the best films of last year, ignored by the... Photo-4199639.56872 - seattlepi.com

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Nathalie Baye presided over the awarding of a life achievement Cesar to Meryl Streep. It's time for Streep to preside over the awarding of a life achievement Oscar to Nathalie Baye, whose films, better than those of any other, tell the story of women since 1970. less

Nathalie Baye presided over the awarding of a life achievement Cesar to Meryl Streep. It's time for Streep to preside over the awarding of a life achievement Oscar to Nathalie Baye, whose films, better than ... more

Nathalie Baye presided over the awarding of a life achievement... Photo-4199640.56872 - seattlepi.com

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Robert Mitchum in The Night of the Hunter. Ignored when it came out, recognized as a masterpiece today.

Robert Mitchum in The Night of the Hunter. Ignored when it came out, recognized as a masterpiece today.

Photo: United Artists 1955, SFC

Robert Mitchum in The Night of the Hunter. Ignored when it came... Photo-4199641.56872 - seattlepi.com

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Morgan Freeman should have won for SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, not Tom Hanks for FORREST GUMP.

Morgan Freeman should have won for SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, not Tom Hanks for FORREST GUMP.

Photo: MICHAEL WEINSTEIN, Associated Press

Morgan Freeman should have won for SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, not Tom... Photo-4199642.56872 - seattlepi.com

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THE GOLD DIGGERS OF 1933 -- one of the greatest films of THE DEPRESSION, it should have been nominated, and it should have won.

THE GOLD DIGGERS OF 1933 -- one of the greatest films of THE DEPRESSION, it should have been nominated, and it should have won.

Photo: 1933

THE GOLD DIGGERS OF 1933 -- one of the greatest films of THE... Photo-4199643.56872 - seattlepi.com

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Someone should have given a screenplay nod to THE LAST FLIGHT, with its dialogue straight out of a surreal Richard Lester film, but ion 1931, not 1966.

Someone should have given a screenplay nod to THE LAST FLIGHT, with its dialogue straight out of a surreal Richard Lester film, but ion 1931, not 1966.

Photo: File

Someone should have given a screenplay nod to THE LAST FLIGHT, with... Photo-4199644.56872 - seattlepi.com

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REVANCHE -- masterpiece from Austria, not nominated for best foreign film.

REVANCHE -- masterpiece from Austria, not nominated for best foreign film.